Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed "deep shock and anguish" over the death of seven Sikh pilgrims in a landslide in Manikaran area of Himachal Pradesh.
The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 25,000 for the seriously wounded.
According to Deputy Commissioner Kullu, seven persons have died and 11 were injured after a giant rock boulder hit Gurudwara complex at Manikaran Sahib in Kullu district.
Badal also said that the entire expenditure for the treatment of injured would be borne by Punjab government.
The Chief Minister, who had a telephonic conversation with his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Virbhadra Singh today evening, assured him of full and immediate help from the state government in rescue operations.
He also urged Virbhadra Singh to extend all possible help to the pilgrims stranded in and around Gurdwara complex at Manikaran Sahib.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was personally reviewing the situation and has directed SGPC Chief Avtar Singh to immediately send a team to assess the damage caused to the Gurdwara complex for undertaking repair and reconstruction of the damaged portion.
Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal was in constant touch with Deputy Commissioner Kullu to keep a close tab on the situation.
Meanwhile, on the directions of Badal, the state government dispatched a high-level rescue team to oversee the evacuation of the pilgrims stranded at Manikaran Sahib.
As per the orders, a team headed by Special Secretary Revenue Dilraj Singh and Inspector General of Police Gautam Cheema has been rushed to oversee the evacuation of the stranded pilgrims.
A 24X7 control room has been set up at Punjab Civil Secretariat Chandigarh to review the situation.
People could contact the control room with telephone numbers 0172-2740859 and 0172-2740397, an official spokesman said.
As per the list provided by district administration Kullu seven persons who died belonged to Rogla Tarwa Mandi village of Sangrur district.
